David R. Soller

Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Current position

Chief, National Geologic Map Database project -- Development and management of science databases for support of societal decisionmaking and scientific research are critical and widely recognized needs. The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 stipulated creation and maintenance of a National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB, http://ngmdb.usgs.gov), as a national archive of spatially-referenced geoscience data. The Act further stipulates that all new information contributed to the NGMDB should adhere to technical and science standards that are to be developed as needed under the guidance of the NGMDB project. Development of a national database and its attendant standards is a daunting task requiring close collaboration among all geoscience agencies in the U.S., at the State and Federal levels. The Act, therefore, creates the environment for the USGS and the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) to collaborate to build the NGMDB and also serve the needs of their own agencies. In 1995, I led the process in which the NGMDB project plan was defined, and since that time I have been responsible for executing and adapting that plan. The NGMDB has evolved into a highly respected geoscience resource, and its impact on the evolution of digital geologic mapping standards and guidelines, in the U.S. and internationally, has been highly significant.

Improve the quality and accessibility of earth-science information available to the public. This work is conducted through the USGS National Geologic Map Database project and various committees.

Contribute to scientific advances in the earth sciences, principally through research into the three-dimensional distribution of surficial geologic materials.

Develop new methods of quantitative analysis and interpretation of digital earth-science information, and conduct interdisciplinary research leading to new applications for that information in a decisionmaking setting.

Member, Digital Map Standards Working Group, for the Commission for the Geologic Map of the World

Acting Assistant Chief Geologist for Information, USGS

Program Deputy for Digital Mapping, USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
(http://ncgmp.usgs.gov)

Chair, USGS Geologic Division Information Council

Geology Editor, USGS National Atlas

Chair, USGS Eastern Region Computer Committee

Member, FGDC Coordination Group

Member, FGDC Standards Working Group

Selected publications and productsNOTE: does not include presentations, lectures, and abstracts. Website products are at http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/.

(1) Mapping, science, and applications:

Soller, D.R., Packard, P.H., and Garrity, C.P., 2012, Database for USGS Map I-1970 -- Map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 656. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/656/.]

Garrity, C.P., and Soller, D.R., 2009, Database of the Geologic Map of North America; adapted from the map by J.C. Reed, Jr. and others (2005): U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 424. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/424/]

Soller, D.R., 2004, Thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains, in Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L., eds., Quaternary glaciations -- Extent and chronology, Part II: North America: Developments in Quaternary Science, Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, p. 363-372.

Soller, D.R., and Packard, P.H., 1998, Digital representation of a map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS #38, one CD-ROM. [Digital version of USGS map I-1970-A, B, C, D and OFR 93-543.]

Soller, D.R., 1993 and 2001, Map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 93-543, superseded by: Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1970-E, scale 1:3,500,000. [Map prepared upon request from Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, for exhibition "The Power of Maps", Nov. 9, 1993 - Jan. 23, 1994.]

Soller, D.R., 1993-1998, Map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1970-A -B -C -D, scale 1:1,000,000.

American Society for Testing and Materials, 1997, Standard guide for selection of methods for assessing ground water or aquifer sensitivity and vulnerability: ASTM Designation: D 6030-96, p. 968-975.

Soller, D.R., 1992, Text and references to accompany "Map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains": U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1921, 54 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1921/]

Soller, D.R., and Mills, H.H., 1991, Surficial geology and geomorphology, in Horton, J.W., Jr., and Zullo, V.A., eds., The Geology of the Carolinas: The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, p. 290-308.

Soller, D.R., and Owens, J.P., 1991, The use of mineralogic techniques as relative age indicators for weathering profiles on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA: Geoderma, v. 51, p. 111-131.

Soller, D.R., 1989, A regional three-dimensional map of Laurentide glacial sediments in the United States: Overview and applications for hydrogeology and land use, in Struckmeier, W.F., Chairman, Memoires of the International Symposium on hydrogeological maps as tools for economic and social development: Hannover, May 30 - June 2, 1989, International Association of Hydrogeologists, p. 107-114.

Kempton, J.P., Berg, R.C., and Soller, D.R., 1989, Hydrogeological applications to regional three-dimensional lithostratigraphic mapping, in Struckmeier, W.F., Chairman, Memoires of the International Symposium on hydrogeological maps as tools for economic and social development: Hannover, May 30 - June 2, 1989, International Association of Hydrogeologists, p. 423-426.

Soller, D.R., 1988, Geology and tectonic history of the lower Cape Fear River valley, southeastern North Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1466-A, scale 1:250,000. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1466a/report.pdf]

(2) Providing standardized geoscience information for the public and for decisionmaking:NOTE: The Digital Mapping Techniques Proceedings listed below are the outcome of a highly regarded set of technical workshops and meetings conducted each year since 1997. Numerous papers regarding the NGMDB and standards development are contained therein. We are building a free-text search page to permit these papers to be readily found. In the interim, please direct questions to me, and also see the NGMDB's Standards and Guidelines page.

Soller, D.R., and Berg, T.M., 2005, The U.S. National Geologic Map Database project: Overview & Progress, in Ostaficzuk, S.R., ed., The Current Role of Geological Mapping in Geosciences -- Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Innovative Applications of GIS in Geological Cartography, Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, 24-26 November 2003: Springer-Verlag, p. 245-277.